Let’s get a little quilty with these improv pieced pockets that we’ll add to a premade tote bag. They are SO cute and practical and would make a winning Mother’s Day gift! Use your scraps or use it as an excuse to grow your stash of solids.

The full video tutorial is here.

MATERIALS

Canvas Tote Bag
Options for fabric: cotton quilting fabric, quilting cotton bundle, or use your fabric scraps!
Thread

TOOLS

INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP ONE:

Choose a color palette from your scrap pile, stash of solids, or order some fun new colors to play with.

STEP TWO:

Using rectangles and squares made from 2 right triangles (they can all be rough shapes for now) , lay out an arrangement that you like. Keep in mind that you’re aiming for a 12.5”x10” rectangle. I usually start with pieces larger than I’ll need and cut them down as I begin piecing.

STEP THREE:

Starting with your squares made from triangles, cut your pieces to be more precise. These squares are still larger than they will need to be in the end, we’ll trim them down later.

STEP FOUR:

Sew the long edge of the triangles, using a 1/4” seam allowance.

STEP FIVE:

Iron your seams flat, pressing them towards the darker color whenever possible.

STEP SIX:

Square up your pieces if they gotten a little wonky (they usually do).

STEP SEVEN:

Reassemble your arrangement with your newly pieced together squares.

STEP EIGHT:

Begin sewing more pieces together, always using a 1/4” seam allowance and pressing your seams flat. Be strategic about the order you sew your pieces together, forming larger blocks that can be sewn together with one seam. Adjust sizes of your blocks as necessary.

STEP NINE:

Reevaluate your layout as you go, making sure you’re still happy with it. Here I added a second pink square because I felt like the yellow strip below was too long.

STEP TEN:

If your piece is too small when you finish, add an extra strip as needed! It should be 12.5”x10” (or at least close to that, it doesn’t need to be exact). Mine was an inch short, so I added another piece to the right side.

STEP ELEVEN:

When you are happy with your quilt block, cut a piece of fabric to the exact same size as your block. This will be the pocket lining.

STEP TWELVE:

With right sides together and using a 1/4” seam allowance, sew the quilt block to the pocket lining along both sides and the top, leaving the bottom open. Trim the corners.

STEP THIRTEEN:

Turn inside out, taking special care with the corners, and iron flat.

STEP FOURTEEN:

Topstitch along the top (finished) edge, 1/8” from the edge. Zigzag stitch along the bottom (unfinished) edge to prevent fraying.

STEP FIFTEEN:

Pin the pocket to the tote bag, right side down, along the bottom (zigzaged) edge. Align the center point of the tote bag and the center point of the pocket. You want the seam to be along the bottom fold, so the edge of the pocket should be 1/4” above the fold. Sew 1/4” from the bottom edge of the pocket to attach it to the bag.

STEP SIXTEEN:

Fold the pocket up into place and iron the bottom seam flat. Pin the sides to the bag and topstitch the sides 1/8th inch from the edge, being sure to backstitch.

STEP SEVENTEEN:

You’re done! Trim any loose threads, give it a good iron, and wear with pride.

THIS POST HAS BEEN MADE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FISKARS AND MICHAELS.

Pieced Pocket Tote Bag Tutorial